Two weekends ago, I set a post in concrete and put a mailbox on top of it. And I was pretty dang proud of it. This past weekend, I helped dig up four posts.
Setting the post was much more fun.
Jim is getting a new gate for his fence and the old and badly damaged gate needed to come out of there. Turns out, not as badly damaged as we thought. The outer wood covering was rotted off and the posts were on their way – but they were still surprisingly sturdy. And by “sturdy”, I mean that two adult men worked 5 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday to dig them up. There were two taller posts – with about 20 feet under ground and 300 lbs of concert… okay, maybe I exaggerate. A little. The big posts were maybe 8 feet tall each and the smaller were maybe 4. No shortage of concrete on any of them.
We got the first post out the first day and had cleared enough dirt to work the other three clear on the second day. We had some lunch, and then filled the holes back in. The crew setting up the new gate can re-dig them where needed.
We were both wiped out, but it was good to get the project down and it was cool to see the dramatic difference from before to after.
So, 1 post set, then 4 posts dug up. If we continue the sequence with the squares of prime numbers, then next week end I’ll need to set 9 posts.
Hmmm… or I could just quit where I’m at.
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It’s good that I got the labor done over the weekend as today was an appointment to donate blood. Last week, I got about 9 emails from the red cross about making an appointment to donate – figured if I didn’t get it done they would come to my house with a bag and a needle.
Or maybe two bags.
I got out of work early, had a snack at a terribly depressing McDonald’s – it was on the way – and then headed to the library. I got there a little early, inadvertently snuck up on the woman at the check-in table, and sat to wait.
And wait.
Two of the people ahead of me were denied and it was still 15 minutes after my appointment time that I got called back.
The history and short physical went okay and everyone was friendly enough, but they were short-handed and maybe just a little distracted. The woman taking my donation kept moving my arm into painful positions and I explained that the left arm was best, but it didn’t move in some directions. We finally compromised in the configuration, but it wasn’t great. Every few times that I relaxed my hand, I got a pinch like I was being stuck again. Must have been some kind of nerve thing in my arm where the plates are.
But I’m a bad-ass, so I just got through it.
When we were done, they removed the needle and had me press on the site with a piece of gauze.
But when they took the gauze off and started to walk away, I started bleeding.
A lot.
I called them back over, but by that point the blood was running down my arm and dripped onto the couch. They got it covered again and cleaned up and while I’m usually not too phased by blood – this bothered me some. They made a joke about hooking up another bag and while I appreciated the effort at humor to put me at ease, it didn’t really work.
After a bit, they more carefully checked again and the site had closed. A more substantial bandage than usual and I was on my way to juice and cookies.
I was tired when I left the donation area and the drive home in traffic didn’t help.
And I was disappointed. Usually, when I’m done giving blood, I’m riding a wave of good feeling – having really done some measurable good. This time… I’m just glad it was over.
I still support the red cross and I’ll be back again as soon as I’m eligible to donate. And I encourage everyone to donate who can. It’s important and a good thing and one bad trip won’t slow me down.
Still, I kinda wish they had the time to slow down a bit and pay just a bit more attention. Just a little – wouldn’t have taken much, I think.
So, time to take off the bandage, take a shower, and hit the sack. I’m going to need plenty of rest for tomorrow.